Ledger-plate fastener for guard fingers



May 24, 1927. 1,629,793

M. M. HUSTAD LEDGER PLATE FASTENER FOR GUARD FINGERS Filed Dec. 5, 1925 avwamtoz Fatented May 24, 1927.

MATIAS 1V1. HUSTAD, OF

OR'ILEY, SOUTH DAKOTA,-ASSIGNOR-OF ONE-HALF TO OLE J. ORION, OF ORTLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA.

LEDGER-PLATE ras'rnnna ron GUARD FINGERS.

App1ication filed December The present invention relates to cutter bar guard fingers for mowing machines or the like and aims to provide novel means whereby the ledger plates forming a part of the cutter bar guard fingers may be readily and easily removed eliminating the necessity of usingwrenches or the like to remove them.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for locking the ledger plates in their active positions without the use of bolts, securing screws or the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a cutter bar guard finger.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view therethrough.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the guard finger taken at right angles to Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the body of the cutter bar guard finger is indicated generally by the reference character 5 and is provided with the usual blade opening 6 through which the usual blade of the mower reciprocates.

The lower surface of the blade opening 6 is also cut away toaccommodate the ledger plate which is indicated at 7 the cut away portion defining however a lug 8 that has its side edges undercut as at 9 to correspend with the inclined edges of the substantially"V haped cut out portion 10 of the ledger plate 7 At the forward end of the blade opening 6 is'a cut out portion 11 adapted to accommodate the extension 12 formed at the for ward end of the ledger plate 7 tothe end that a lateral movement of the ledger plate when once positioned will be prevented. The

7 in position, it

5, 1925. Serial No. 73,499.

under surface'of the extension 12 is beveled to properly fit within the cut out portion 11 as shown by Figure 2.

Formed in the upper portion of the guard finger 5 is a slot 13 that extends therethrough and in which the locking arm 14 is mounted, there being provided a pivot pin 15 for pivotally'mounting the locking arm in position. I r

This locking arm is provided with a cam head 16 that is adapted to engage the upper surface of the extension 12 when the arm has been moved to a position as shown by Figure 2, and thereby lock the ledger plate being obvious that due to the construction shown, the enlarged portion of the cam head moves beyond a vertical line drawn through the pivot pin 15 locking the plate against movement.

A notch indicated at 17 is provided in the free end of the arm 14 and is adapted to receive a suitable nail or the like whereby the arm may be pried from its lockin osition and the extensions 16 disengaged From the finger '12 to permit the removal of the ledger plate 7.

To further lock the arm 14 in its active position, a portion of the slot in which it works is cut away as at 13 to permit the arm 14 to move-laterally. As shown by Figure 5 the arm 14 is formed with an inclined side wall which is adapted to engage under the shoulder 15.

Formed in the arm 14 is a cut out portion 16 to permit a sharp pointed instrument defining a projection 14'v to be forced alongside of the arm 14, to move the same laterally and disengage the portions 14 and 15.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that due to this construction, the ledger plates of cutter bar guard fingers maybe readily and easily removed and repaired or sharpened, other ledger plates being replaced and the mower retained in service while such sharpening and repairing is taking place.

I claim:

1. A cutter bar guard finger having a blade opening, the lower surface of the blade opening being cut away, a ledger plate positioned in the cut away portion, said ledger plate having a forwardly extended portion. an arm pivotally supported above the ledger plate and adapted to move vertically with respect to the ledger plate, said arm having a cam shaped enlargement at one of its ends adapted to engage the forwardly extended portion of the plate to lock the plate against movement, and means for normally locking the arm against movement.

2. A entter bar guard finger having a blade opening, a removable ledger plate within the blade opening, said finger having a slot communicating With the blade opening, a locking arm pivotallyinounted Within the slot and having a cam shaped enlarged forward end portion, said enlarged forward end portion adapted to engage the ledger plate positioned within the blade opening to lock the ledger .plate against movement said arm having a lateral extension adapted to engage one wall o'f'the slot to lock the arm against movement.

In testimony that I claim foregoing as my 20 own I have hereto affixed my signature.

MATIAS M. HUSTAD. 

